Lake Yogo, Natural lake in Nagahama, Japan
Lake Yogo is a freshwater lake in Shiga Prefecture with a shoreline of about 6 kilometers. The water is clear, and the banks are lined with rock faces and vegetation that shifts with the seasons.
This water body formed roughly 30,000 years ago when a section of an ancient lake separated to become independent. The separation allowed a distinct ecosystem to develop over time.
The lake is known for a story about eight celestial maidens who turned into swans, with one named Ikatomi staying behind on Earth after losing her heavenly robe.
The lake is easiest to reach by train to Yogo Station or by car via the Hokuriku Expressway. Parking is available, and the shores are accessible for walks.
The lake is home to a rare catfish called the Iwatoko, found only here and in nearby Lake Biwa. These fish are so specialized to these two lakes that they exist nowhere else in the world.
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